Addressing machine



March 24, 1953 R. I .KER ETAL ADDRESSING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 l. V l

March 24, 1953 R. L. KRR er AL 2,632,384

ADDRESSING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet Z..

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Attorney March 24, `'1953 R. L. KERR El' AL ADDRESSING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Raaf/er so ERR Attorney March 24, 1953 R. l.. KERR ETAL i ADDRESSING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 24, 1953 UNITED STATES ADDRESSING MACHINE Application July 9, 1949, Serial No. 103,764 In Great Britain April 13, 1948 This invention relates to printing machines of the type commonly known as addressing ma'- chines, in which a printing pad carried by a rising and falling head vpresses the paper against a printing plate embossed with the matter to be printed,V an inked ribbon being interposed between thepaper and the printing plate. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a machine of this character in which the printing pad, or at least one of several printing pads carried by the same head, is movable relative to the head on which it is carried, so that the part or parts of the plate against which the paper is pressed can be altered and two or more different impressions obtained from the same printing plate by successive strokes of the head.

Various forms of these so called sliding pads are already known, but each of them suffers from limitations which make the pad unsuitable for use in performingr certain operations and the 'general object of the present invention is to provide an improved construction of sliding pads having advantages in simplicity of construction and exibility of employment over those hitherto known.

In accordance with the invention a printing machine of the type referred to comprises a printing pad mounted for sliding movement in its own plane upon a rising and rfalling printing head, driving means actuated by movement of the head and effective to move the printing pad alternately to one ofits extreme positions and towards the other of its extreme positions, stop means which can be set to arrest the printing pad during the latter movement and a yielding connection in said driving means. Otherfeatures of the invention will sufficiently appearirom the vappended claims when read in the light of the following description of the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

ln these drawings:

vFigure l is a perspective view of the relevant parts of a printing machine as seen from the frontend to the right of the machine;

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the same parts as seen from the front and to the left of the machine, with a part broken away to show the interior;

Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the embossed printing plates;

Figure 4 is ascrap end elevation of a part of the printing head showing the manner in which the pads (io-operate with the printing plates;

Figure v5 is a plan view of the printing head .the machine;

7 Glaims. (Cl. 101--65) Figure 6 is an underside plan View of the gear box assembly in the printing head;

Figure '7 is a front elevation, partly in section on the line 'l-'l oi Figure 6. oi the gear box assembly; and

Figure 8 is an end elevation of the gear boi; assembly.l o

Referring nrst to Figures 1 and 2, the machine comprises in well known manner a rocking arm it, carrying at its end a printing head I l. Printing plates l2, each embossed with a number of lines of type matter are fed in succession to the printing position below the printing head, where the plate next to be printed from lies beneath an inked ribbon I3. The paper to be printed upon is laid (face downwards) over the inked ribbon and on the descent of the printing head is pressed by a printing pad carried on the underside of the head against the embossed plate, the inked ribbon interposed between paper and plate. The embossed matter on the plate accordingly prints through the ribbon onto the underside of the paper at all points where the latter was pressed against it by the printing pad. Clearly, anydesired part of the embossed matter on the plate can be extracted and printed onto the paperby so shaping and positioning the printing pad that it presses the paper against only the appropriate part of the plate.

The machine illustrated is provided with two printing pads Hl and l5 which are independently movable relative to the rising and falling printing head il, each pad being supported by the printing head on a counterslide which extends horizontally (that is parallel to the plane of the printing plate) and at right angles to the lines of type matter on the plate (that is forwardly and rearwardly of the machine). One pad I4 is of sufcient width to cover the greater part o f the length of the lines of type (namely the parts marked a in Figures 1 and 3) and is movable between a rearward position in which it covers all the lines and a forward position in which it is completely clear vof the plate. Theother pad part l5 is of a width to cover the remaining part of the lines of type (the parts marked b in Figures 1 and 3) and is also movable between a forward position in which'it is clear oi the plate and a rearward position in which it covers allthe lines of type, but in addition can be arrestedat any one of a number of intermediate positions, so that it can be set to cover any required number of lines from the front edge of the plate rearwardiy.

The printing pads do not necessarily effect 3 printing from all the type matter which they cover, but may be recessed in any desired way to restrict the area of the printing plate against which they press the paper. For example, it may be required in a particular case to print the parts a of only the first and third of the eight lines of type on the plates but to print the parts b of all the lines which lie forwardly of a given line. I4 of the pad I4 is cut away, as shown in Figure 4, while the facing I5' of the smaller pad I5 is left unrecessed. In Figure 4 the pad I5 is shown arrested in a position in which it covers only the two front lines of type matter, so that the two pads together will print the parts aI, a3, b1 and b3, distinguished by hatching in Figure 3.

With one setting of the mechanism described below, the pad I4 remains continuously in its rearward or printing position, so that the parts aI and a3 of the type matter on a plate are printed at each stroke Vof the head, and the pad I5 is adjusted under the control of manually or automatically operated means to print simultaneously any required number of lines from the part b of the matter on the plate. With another setting of the mechanism, the two pads in turn are withdrawn out of printing position at alternate 'strokes of the printing head, so that the two parts of the impression made from a plate are effectedat successive strokes of the printing head and not simultaneously.

The mechanism for effecting the required movements of the printing pads comprises a drive shaft IB which is rotatably supported by the rocking arm I9 and extends parallel to the lines of type on the printing plates. This shaft I9 is driven through rack and pinion gearing I9 by the rising and falling movements of the rocking 'arm and is turned through half a revolution during each upward and each downward stroke of the arm, the two half revolutions being in opposite directions. Shaft I6 is aligned with and coupled to a main shaft I1 (see Figures 5 to 8) journalled in the printing head II. A pinion I8 fast upon the main shaft meshes with an equal pinion I 9 loose upon a lay shaft 20, which extends In this case the cork composition facing parallel to the main shaft and is also journalled v in the printing head. A second loose pinion 2I upon the lay shaft meshes with an equal pinion 22 which is loose upon the main shaft and carries a pawl 23 engaging a ratchet wheel 24 fast to that shaft, so that these pinions 2I, 22 are rotated only during the upward movements of the prlnting arm. Between the two loose pinions I9 and 2I on the lay shaft is a clutch member 25, slidably keyed to the lay shaft, which carries two oppositely projecting pins 26, 21. With the parts in the position shown, the lay shaft 29 is not rotated, but by sliding the clutch member 25 to the left the pin 26 can be engaged in an aperture in the pinion I9, thus securing that pinion to half revolution during each upward stroke of the printing head and a return half revolution during each downward stroke. Similarly, by sliding the clutch member to the right, the pin 21 can be engaged in an aperture in the pinion 2I, thus securing that pinion to the lay shaft; the shaft then makes a half revolution (always in the same direction) during each upward stroke of the printing head and remains stationary during the downward strokes.

Sliding movement of the clutch member 25 is effected by a selector member 28 which engages 1n a groove extending around the periphery of the lay shaft and causing the latter to make a the clutch member and is supported in a plate 29 mounted for sliding movement parallel to the lay shaft. The selector member 23 projects through plate 29 into a longitudinal slot in an operating member 39, which is slidable independently of plate 29 in a direction parallel to the lay shaft. The upper end of selector member 29 is connected to the operating member 39 through a pair of oppositely directed tension springs 3l. The operating member can thus be moved, either to the right or the left, even though the aperture in pinion I9 or 2I is not aligned with the corre sponding pin 26 or 21 of the clutch member. Such movement of the operating member stresses one of the springs 3l, so that when the rotation of the pinion next brings its aperture into register with the corresponding pin, the clutch member will be drawn into engaging position. The operating member 30 carries a spring mounted plunger 32, having a finger knob at its forward end, the rear end of the plunger being adapted to engage in one of three locating recesses 33 (see Figure 1) provided in the frame of the printing head and thereby retain the operating member in the position to which it has been adjusted.

The end of the lay shaft 20 adjacent the loose pinion 2I which is rotated in one direction only, is rotatably supported in the bore of a coaxial shaft 34 which is journalled in the printing head and projects at one side of the head. The projecting end of this shaft carries a crank arm which is coupled by a connecting rod 36 tothe larger printing pad part I4. A collar 31 at the inner end of the crank shaft 34 lies adjacent the loose pinion and is provided with a hole registering with that in the pinion 2I. When the clutch` member 25 is moved to secure pinion 2I to the lay shaft, the pin 21 passes completely through the pinion and enters the hole in the collar, thus securing the crank shaft also to the lay shaft. The crank shaft 34 is then rotated through one half revolution during each upward stroke of the printing head, thereby alternately moving the printing part I4 rearwardly into printing position and moving it forwardly out of printing position. The part a of the embossed printing plates covered by that pad is thus printed from at each alternate printing operation. When the clutch member is in its other position, the lay shaft 20 rotates in opposite directions alternately but the crank shaft 34 is not rotated and the printing pad I4 accordingly remains stationary relative to the printing head II. Accidental movement of pad I4 is prevented by a friction element 52 (see Figure 8) pressed against crank shaft 34 by a spring 53 which is adjustably stressed by a bolt 54 secured by a lock nut 55. When the machine is required to operate in the manner described, disengagement of the clutch member 25 from parts 2I and 31 is effected when the rocking arm I0 is stationary in its uppermost position and printing pad I4 is at the rear end of its stroke. Pad I4 then remains in printing position during each subsequent printing stroke.

Fast on the opposite end of the lay shaft 29 is a pinion 38 which meshes with an equal pinion 39 looseon the end of-the main shaft I1 and fast to a shaft 49 coaxial with the main shaft. The projecting end of shaft 49 carries a crank arm 4I which is coupled to the smaller printing pad I5 by a connecting rod of resiliently yielding construction. This connecting rod comprises a tubular member 42 which is pivot-ally vconnected to the crank arm 4I and is telescopilar member 43 which is pivotally connected to the printing pad I 5,. A tension spring `44 :accommodated within the inner tubular member draws the members 42 and 43 together but permits them to move apart, to increase the effective length of the connecting rod, when the crank arm is moving in a direction to cause rearward movement of the printing pad.

The printing head carries nine vertically movable stops 45, spaced apart in the direction of movement of the printing pad I5, one more than the number of lines of type which can be accommodated and any of the stops can be projected into the path of the minor printing pad so as to `arrest it in position4 to print from the required number of lines of type. When the clutch member is in position to cause the lay shaft to rotate in opposite directions alternately and the printing pad I 4 remains continuously in printing position, the printing pad I5 is advanced clear of the printing area during each upward stroke of the printing head. During the downward stroke of the printing head the rotation of the lay shaft retracts the printing pad I5 across the printing area until the pad is arrested by that one of the stops 45 which has been lprojected into operative position. The telescopicconnectingrod 42, 43 then yields, permitting the crank shaft 40 to rotate during the latter part of the printing stroke and the first part of the upward stroke of the printing arm while the printing pad remains stationary. When the telescopic connecting rod has contracted to its original length, the crank shaft is again coupled to the printing pad and the latter part of the upward stroke of the printing arm effects the advance of the printing pad clear of the printing area, ready for the next operation.

When the clutch member is in its alternative position, the printing pad I5 is moved rearwardly, during the first part of one upward stroke of the printing head, into the printing position determined by the setting of the stops. It remains in that position during the remainder of that stroke, the whole of the following printing stroke and the iirst part of the next upward stroke. In order to hold the printing pad l5 against movement relative to the printing head during the printing stroke, when the lay shaft is uncoupled from the main shaft, there is provided a brake disc 46 which loosely surrounds shaft 40 and is held against rotation by a pin 41. This disc 46 is pressed by a compression spring 48 into frictional engagement with the boss of pinion 39 and prevents accidental rotation of shaft 40.

Each of the stops 45 has the form of a plunger which is urged upwardly out of the path of the printing pad I5 by a coil compression sp-ring 49. The upper part of the plunger is surrounded by a solenoid 50 and by energising this solenoid the plunger is forced downwardly against the action of the spring so that its lower end projects into the path of the printing pad. The selective energisation of the solenoids may be effected by any suitable means. Thus a plunger or a series of plungers can be operated by a pre-arranged lay out of plug leads on they control panel of the machine, or by signal elements, such as selector pips 5I (see Figure 3),y carried on the embossed printing plates in combination with suitable sensing means and a pre-arranged lay out of plug leads on the control panel. If two or more plungers are operated together only the plunger nearest the 'front of .the'machine wiil be effective in determining :the position in which the printing pad is arrested.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular arrangement and vconstruction described above. The form and disposition of the printing pad parts and the sequence of printing operations performed are capable of many modications to suit varying requirements.

What is claimed is:

1. vIn a printing machine of the type compris ing-a rising and falling printing head, a printing pad mountedon said head slidable in its own plane between two .extreme positions, driving means actuated by the movement of said head and coacting with the printing pad for moving the same alternately to one of its extreme positions and toward the other of its extreme positions, stop means settable for arresting the printing pad in a rposition intermediate to said two extreme positions vduring the movement of the printed pad toward the said other extreme position, and yieldable means disposed in said driving 'means and providing for movement of the driving means whileand when the printing pad remains stationary.

2. A machine in accordance with claim 1, lin which the driving means are selectively operable either to move the printing pad to one extreme position at each upward movement of the printing head and towards its other extreme position at each downward movement of the printing head, or to move the printing pad to one extreme position at each alternate upward movement of the printing head and towards its other extreme position at the next upward movement of the printing head, the printing pad remaining stationary relative to the printing head during the downward movements of the latter.

3. :In a printing machine of the type comprising a rising and falling printing head, a rst an-d a second .printing pad each mounted upon the printing head slidable in its own plane f-or reciprocatory movement forwardly :and rearwardly relative to the printing head, driving means actuated by movement of rthe printing head and effective in lone condition to move one of said printing pads forwardly and the .other of said printing pads rearwardly at each upward movement o-f the printing head and effective in another condition to move the first printing pad forwardly at each upward movement of the movement of Ithe'printing head, and rearwardly at each downward movement of the printing head, yieldable connecting means in said driving means, and stop means sett-able for arresting the rearward movement `of said rst pad in any one of a plurality of predetermined positions.

4. :A machine in accordance with claim 3 and comprising a lay shaft, a crank arm coupled for rotation to the lay shaft, a resiliently yielding connecting rod coupling the crank arm -to the first printing pad to cause sliding movement of the pad upon rotation of the lay shaft, a shaft aligned with the lay shaft, a second crank arm fas-t on the aligned shaft, a connecting rod coupling the second crank arm to the second prin-ting pad to cause sliding movement of the pad upon rotation of ythe align-ed shaft, a first pinion disposed loosely on the lay shaft, means for rotating the pinion through a half revolution in one direction at each upward movement of the printing head and in the other direction at each downward movement of the printing head, a second pinion disposed loosely on the lay shaft, m-eans for rotating the second pinion through a half revolution at each upward movement of the printing lhead Without rotating it during the downward movement of 'the head, and coupling means movable to secure the rst pinion to the lay shaft and alterna-tively movable to secure both the second pinion and the aligned shaft to the lay shaft.

5. A machine in accordance with claim 4, in which the coupling means comprise a clutch member slidably keyed onV the lay shaft intermediate the two pinions, pins projecting from said member towards each of the pinions, and adapted to engage respectively in an aperture in the -rst pinion and in aligned apertures in the second pinion and a member fast to the aligned shaft, a selector member slidable in a direction parallel to the lay shaft and engaging the clutch member, an operating member slidable in a direction parallel to the lay shaft and spring means connecting the operating member to the selecto-1' member for movement in either direction.

`6. -In a .printing machine of the type comprising a rising :and falling printing head, a printing pad mounted on saidhead slidable in its own plane between two extreme positions, driving means actuated by movement of the head and effective to move the printing pad alternately to one of its extreme positions and towards the other of its extreme positions, a plurality of plungers disposed spaced apart in the direction of movement of said printing pad and movable independently of one another either into the path of said printing pad for stop-ping the same in a position corresponding to the position of the respective plunger or clear of said path, and yieldable connecting means disposed in said driving means and providing for movement of the driving means While the printing pad remains stationary.

'7. A machine in accordance with claim 6 in which each plunger is biased into a position in which it is clear ofthe path of the printing pad and s provided with electrically operated means for projecting it into the path of the pad.

ROBERT L. KERR. RUDOLF' ALBRECHT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,110,723 Spiess Sept. 15, 1914 1,923,492 Krell Aug. 22, 1933 1,993,848 Krell Mar. 12, 1935 2,344,345 Elliott Mar. 14, 1944 2,425,149 Gollwitzer Aug. 5, 194'1 

